To say that Pakistani music had an eventful year would be an understatement. With multi-national brands promoting local artistes through TV shows such as Nescafe Basement and Pepsi Smash, there have been more performers in the spotlight this past year than ever before.

The Express Tribune decided to round-up the 10 Pakistani songs from 2013 that you simply had to listen to before the year was out.

10. Main Sufi Hoon — The Sketches

Coming in at number 10 we have yet a quality number by the Jamshoro-based The Sketches. In this track they have merged the combined talent of Faraz Anwar, Gumby and the US-based producer/musician Jono Manson to bring forward a powerful and contemporary interpretation of Sachal Sarmast’s poetry, both audio-wise and visually.

9. Aakhir Kyun — Chambaili

The pop-rock soundtrack for the Pakistani film Chambaili was the first release by the Nabeel Nihal Project. Combining Nabeel Nihal Chishti’s production and guitars with Karavan front man Tanseer Dar’s vocals, Aakhir Kyun is a track that is both soothing and dark. This track is a testament to how much Chishti has evolved from the good old days of Aaroh.

8. Tension — Faraz Anwar

Faraz Anwar’s solo effort fused Bhangra beats with a rock groove, resulting in one of the most catchy rock songs of the year. While Anwar’s vocals have always been his greatest weakness, the powerful guitar solo will blow you away. This energetic track is guaranteed to make you get up and make something of your life.

7. Asrar — Waris Shah

Asrar has to be one of the most prolific new artists from Pakistan to emerge this year, who has stayed relevant by releasing back to back videos. His rendition of Amrita Pritam’s poem Waris Shah puts his raw vocals to good use against an acoustic backdrop and minimalistic arrangement of instruments.

6. Black Coffee Khwabon Mein — Zohaib Kazi

This year, Zohaib Kazi has diversified away from his initial semi-classical release Jaan Lo. In Black Coffee Khwaabon Mae he collaborates with the best in the business — Abbas Ali Khan, Sara Haider, Omran Shafique and Gumby. All this talent combined, surprisingly results in a harmonious and atmospheric pop-rock song that leads one down memory lane to the early ’90s pop scene of Pakistan.

5. Pariyaan — Bell

A relaxing number, Pariyaan is the debut video by Karachi based blues band Bell, comprising of Hazrat Shahab Hussain, Zeeshan Lalani, Muhammad Abid and Ahad Nayani. This mellow number highlights what this new band has to offer — a contemporary blues sound and catchy melodies.

4. Jeevan — Pepsi Smash Ft Strings

Pepsi Smash was a game changing venture this year that brought an altogether EDM sound into the mainstream of Pakistani music, propelled by the expertise of Faisal Baig. String’s signature song writing combined with Baig’s finesse as a producer resulted in one of the most melodious songs of the year.

Edit: An unintentional omission on our part may give readers the impression that we are claiming Faisal Baig is the sole producer of Pepsi Smash, which is incorrect. Pepsi Smash has been co-produced by Farhad Humayun, Faisal Baig and Sheraz Siddiq.

3. Laili Jaan — Coke Studio Season 6

Despite criticism levelled at Coke Studio for its overly experimental approach this season, Laili Jaan stood out regardless. A brilliant rendition of the Darri folk classic by Zeb & Haniya, coupled with a mesmerising brass section, made it one of the most powerful and flawless productions of the year.

2. Paar Chana Dae — Zinda Bhaag

With Zinda Bhaag’s soundtrack, Sahir Ali Bhagga created a totally new sound by combining elements of A R Rehman and Vishal Bhardwaj’s music. Only a genius like him could find a rare voice like Saleema Jawad and pair her up with the legendary Arif Lohar. The larger than life Paar Chana Dae is folk music like never before; the grandeur of which will transport you into another universe.

1. Har Zulm — Sajjad Ali

The number one spot on our list goes to the one pop star that has proved time and again to have the Midas touch — none other than Sajjad Ali. Har Zulm, another unforgettable ghazal brings him to top of our playlist. Ali is by far the best singer in Pakistan, and also the most dynamic and diverse. He has a knack for modern arrangements and knows exactly what sort of music will mesmerise his fans, whether it is rock with Bolo Bolo, rap with Chief Saab or semi-classical with Har Zulm.

Up until the early 00’s Pakistani pop music was quite the rage in India…. If I am not wrong back in those days pakistani pop music was more popular than indian pop, much like how bollywood music has held the pakistani populace captive in 2013… There was/is something about pakistani music(pop) that was,in a word, timeless… Infact I still prefer to listen to Sarki Yeh Bahar and Tere Bina(By Fuzon-not one of their popular songs), Sayonee(a little older) among other songs… What went so bad in the last ten odd years that Pakistani music just couldn’t survive despite the talent being there… Musharraf was a rather benign dictator(against Zia) and he somehow brought in a revolution in the media and even some years of serious economic growth.. why is pakistani music not blooming then?… certainly economy cant be the reason… your economy is better than what it was 12 years back……. Strange…

hey,I live in Jalandhar,Punjab…never heard any pakistani song in my life……I only knew songs sung by pakistani people who come to India…would u please throw some light regarding that pakistan has song industry also..

It is kind of sad to see the direction where Pakistani music is headed. The only song in the list which is worth being there is Main Sufi Hoon by The Sketches. Coke Studio has taken away all the creativity from some of the most promising musicians that we had and made them into one-style-fits-all drones. And now Pepsi seems to be trying to do the same. There is a serious need to discover raw/uncorrupted talent. People like Salman Ahmed, Xulfi, Amir Zaki need to come back and try to re-establish the foundation they laid, which has been almost fully destroyed by Coke n Pepsi.

Enjoyed many music from Pakistan. My good associations are attached with Strings album Door which came out during my high school, Ali Haider’s “Purani Jeans” during my college years. Wish we develop more cordial relationships and have artists from both side perform to more wider audiance.

The thing about formula music is it comes out great but the trick is to make your own formula to sound different and great of course. I chose Zohaib Kazi’s Khwabon Mein, love the lyrics too, makes me want to dream big.

Dear pakistani brothers, I really love pakistani music and still searching for the best songs and downloading all the listed songs here, but I need to listen more and more best pakistani songs, like khwaishey, mujh me hai tu etc, plz send me an extended list of mp3 songs, if possible with link, or with full details so I can download and can listen..! Please, thnks in advance, my email is [email protected]
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